Electronic vapor provision device

ABSTRACT

An electronic vapor provision device including a power cell and a vaporizer, wherein the vaporizer includes a heating element, a vaporization cavity, and an airflow channeler, wherein the airflow channeler is situated outside of the vaporization cavity, and wherein the heating element and a heating element support configured to support the heating element are situated within the vaporization cavity.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 14/415,510filed Jan. 16, 2015, is a National Phase entry of PCT Application No.PCT/EP2013/064953, filed Jul. 15, 2013, which claims priority from GBPatent Application No. 1212608.2, filed Jul. 16, 2012, each of which ishereby fully incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The specification relates to electronic vapor provision devices.

BACKGROUND

Electronic vapor provision devices are typically cigarette-sized andfunction by allowing a user to inhale a nicotine vapor from a liquidstore by applying a suction force to a mouthpiece. Some electronic vaporprovision devices have an airflow sensor that activates when a userapplies the suction force and causes a heater coil to heat up andvaporize the liquid. Electronic vapor provision devices includeelectronic cigarettes.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, there is provided an electronic vapor provision devicecomprising a power cell; and a vaporizer, wherein the vaporizercomprises a heating element, a vaporization cavity, and an airflowchanneler, wherein the airflow channeler is situated outside of thevaporization cavity, and wherein the heating element and a heatingelement support configured to support the heating element are situatedwithin the vaporization cavity.

In another embodiment there is provided an electronic vapor provisiondevice comprising a power cell and a vaporizer, where the vaporizercomprises a heating element and a vaporization cavity, wherein thevaporizer further comprises an airflow channeler configured in use tochannel airflow over the heating element.

The airflow channeler may be configured to focus the airflow over theheating element or a region of the heating element. Moreover, theairflow channeler may form part of a heating element support.Furthermore, the electronic vapor provision device may comprise amouthpiece section and the vaporizer may be part of the mouthpiecesection.

In another embodiment there is provided a vaporizer for use in anelectronic vapor provision device, comprising a heating element and anairflow channeler configured to channel airflow over the heatingelement.

In another embodiment there is provided an electronic vapor provisiondevice comprising a heating element coil; a liquid store for providingliquid to be vaporized by the heating element; an air outlet forvaporized liquid from the heating element; and an airflow channelerconfigured to obstruct airflow within the coil and to direct the airflowto one or more parts of the coil surface. The device may for examplecomprise a power cell for powering the heating element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the disclosure, and to show how exampleembodiments may be carried into effect, reference will now be made tothe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of an electronic cigarette.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of an electronic cigarette having aparallel coil.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a heating element coil.

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of an outer heating element support.

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of a heating element coil within anouter heating element support.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of a heating element coil within anouter heating element support.

FIG. 7 is an end view of a heating element coil within an outer heatingelement support, where a central channel has a square cross-section.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a coil and a cylindrical airflow channeler.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a coil and a conical airflow channeler.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a coil and an inverted conical airflowchanneler.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a coil and an airflow channeler with a centralbulge.

FIG. 12 is a side view of a coil and an airflow channeler partiallyoutside the coil.

FIG. 13 is a side view of a coil and an airflow channeler outside of thecoil.

FIG. 14 is a side view of a coil and an airflow channeler forming partof a heating element support.

FIG. 15 is an end view of an airflow channeler forming part of a heatingelement support.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In a first aspect of the present invention there is provided anelectronic vapor provision device comprising a power cell and avaporizer, where the vaporizer comprises a heating element and avaporization cavity, wherein the vaporizer further comprises an airflowchanneler configured to channel airflow over the heating element. Theelectronic vapor provision device may be an electronic cigarette.

The vaporizer acts to vaporize liquid. When liquid is vaporized by thevaporizer, the resulting vapor is carried away by the airflow andinhaled by the user. Channeling the airflow over the heating elementincreases the rate at which vapor is carried away. This can lead to amore efficient vapor release.

The airflow channeler may be configured to focus the airflow over theheating element. By focusing the airflow over the heating element, thedevice becomes more efficient at carrying away vapor from the vaporizer.The device may therefore require less airflow and less suction effort bythe user.

The airflow channeler may be configured to channel airflow over thesurface of the heating element. Moreover, the airflow channeler may beconfigured to channel airflow along the length of the heating element.Channeling the airflow along the length of the heating element ensuresthat increased vapor removal occurs along the entire heating element.

The airflow channeler may be configured to focus airflow in a region ofthe heating element. Moreover, the airflow channeler may be configuredto focus airflow in an end region of the heating element. For example,the airflow channeler may be configured to focus airflow in a centralregion of the heating element or at two or more points along the heatingelement. Furthermore the airflow channeler may be configured to createan airflow gradient over the heating element.

Liquid may be transferred onto the vaporizer heating element but thistransfer may not be uniform along the length of the heating element.Thus, it may be advantageous to channel airflow to regions of theheating element where there is more liquid to be vaporized.

The airflow channeler may be situated within the vaporization cavity.Moreover, the airflow channeler may provide an obstruction in thevaporization cavity such that airflow is channeled over the heatingelement.

The airflow channeler may be situated outside of the vaporization cavityor may form part of a wall of the vaporization cavity. Moreover, theairflow channeler may be situated within the heating element.

An obstruction in the vaporization cavity means that the airflow willflow around the obstruction and can be directed towards the heatingelement. When the airflow path is within the heating element, an airflowchanneler situated within the heating element is able to direct theairflow to the heating element surface for increased efficiency.

The airflow channeler may be situated outside of the heating element.

The airflow channeler may be elongated in the direction of thelongitudinal coil axis. Furthermore, the airflow channeler may becylindrical. Part of the airflow channeler may comprise a conical shape.For example, the airflow channeler may be substantially conical orfrusto-conical.

The airflow channeler may comprise a wider end and a narrower end andmay be configured such that air is drawn towards the wider end.Alternatively, the airflow channeler may comprise a wider end and anarrower end and the airflow channeler may be configured such that airis drawn towards the narrower end.

The airflow channeler may be shaped so as to bulge in a region. Forexample, the airflow channeler may be shaped so as to bulge in a centralregion or in two or more places along its length.

The cross-sectional shape of the airflow channeler may be a polygon,such as a square. Moreover, the airflow channeler may comprise a spiralshape.

The heating element may be a heating coil, such as a wire coil.

The airflow channeler may be configured to focus airflow over theheating coil turns. The airflow channeler may be configured to focusairflow along the length of the coil. The airflow channeler may beconfigured to focus airflow on the end of the coil. The airflowchanneler may be configured to focus airflow on the inside of the coil.The airflow channeler may be configured to focus airflow on the outsideof the coil. The airflow channeler may be configured to focus airflowthrough the coil turns. The airflow channeler may be configured tospiral airflow over the coil.

The heating element may be not supported on its inside. The vaporizermay further comprise a heating element support. The heating elementsupport may be a liquid store. Moreover, the heating element may be onthe inside of the heating element support.

Having a separate heating element and support allows a finer heatingelement to be constructed. This is advantageous because a finer heatingelement can be more efficiently heated. By having the heating element onthe inside of the support means that a much smaller and narrower heatingelement can be used since space is not needed inside the heating elementto house the support. This enables a much larger and therefore strongersupport to be used.

One or more gaps may be provided between the heating element and theheating element support. Moreover, the heating element may be in contactwith the heating element support at points along the length of thesupport.

The airflow channeler may form part of the heating element support.Alternatively, the airflow channeler may not form part of the heatingelement support.

The airflow channeler may not be in contact with the heating element. Byhaving an airflow channeler that is not in contact with the heatingelement, the airflow channeler does not impede the heating surface ofthe heating element.

The electronic vapor provision device may further comprise a mouthpiecesection and the vaporizer may be part of the mouthpiece section. Theheating element support may substantially fill the mouthpiece section.

Since the support is on the outside of the coil and can act as a liquidstore, a liquid store container is not needed in addition to the liquidstore and the heating element support can fill the mouthpiece section togive greater storage capacity and a more efficient device.

Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown an embodiment of the electronic vaporprovision device 1 in the form of an electronic cigarette 1 comprising amouthpiece 2 and a body 3. The electronic cigarette 1 is shaped like aconventional cigarette having a cylindrical shape. The mouthpiece 2 hasan air outlet 4 and the electronic cigarette 1 is operated when a userplaces the mouthpiece 2 of the electronic cigarette 1 in their mouth andinhales, drawing air through the air outlet 4. Both the mouthpiece 2 andbody 3 are cylindrical and are configured to connect to each othercoaxially so as to form the conventional cigarette shape.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the electronic cigarette 1 of FIG. 1. Thebody 3 is referred to herein as a battery assembly 5, and the mouthpiece2 includes a liquid store 6 and a vaporizer 7. The electronic cigarette1 is shown in its assembled state, wherein the detachable parts 2, 5 areconnected. Liquid wicks from the liquid store 6 to the vaporizer 7. Thebattery assembly 5 provides electrical power to the vaporizer 7 viamutual electrical contacts of the battery assembly 5 and the mouthpiece2. The vaporizer 7 vaporizes the wicked liquid and the vapor passes outof the air outlet 4. The liquid may for example comprise a nicotinesolution.

The battery assembly 5 comprises a battery assembly casing 8, a powercell 9, electrical contacts 10 and a control circuit 11.

The battery assembly casing 8 comprises a hollow cylinder which is openat a first end 12. For example, the battery assembly casing 8 may beplastic. The electrical contacts 10 are located at the first end 12 ofthe casing 8, and the power cell 9 and control circuit 11 are locatedwithin the hollow of the casing 8. The power cell 9 may for example be aLithium Cell.

The control circuit 11 includes an air pressure sensor 13 and acontroller 14 and is powered by the power cell 9. The controller 14 isconfigured to interface with the air pressure sensor 13 and to controlprovision of electrical power from the power cell 9 to the vaporizer 7,via the electrical contacts 10.

The mouthpiece 2 further includes a mouthpiece casing 15 and electricalcontacts 26. The mouthpiece casing 15 comprises a hollow cylinder whichis open at a first end 16, with the air outlet 4 comprising a hole inthe second end 17 of the casing 15. The mouthpiece casing 15 alsocomprises an air inlet 27, comprising a hole near the first end 16 ofthe casing 15. For example, the mouthpiece casing may be formed ofaluminum.

The electrical contacts 26 are located at the first end of the casing15. Moreover, the first end 16 of the mouthpiece casing 15 is releasablyconnected to the first end 12 of the battery assembly casing 8, suchthat the electrical contacts 26 of the mouthpiece 2 are electricallyconnected to the electrical contacts 10 of the battery assembly 5. Forexample, the device 1 may be configured such that the mouthpiece casing15 connects to the battery assembly casing 8 by a threaded connection.

The liquid store 6 is situated within the hollow mouthpiece casing 15towards the second end 17 of the casing 15. The liquid store 6 comprisesa cylindrical tube of porous material saturated in liquid. The outercircumference of the liquid store 6 matches the inner circumference ofthe mouthpiece casing 15. The hollow of the liquid store 6 provides anair passageway 18. For example, the porous material of the liquid store6 may comprise foam, wherein the foam is substantially saturated in theliquid intended for vaporization.

The vaporizer 7 comprises a vaporization cavity 19, a heating elementsupport 20, a heating element 21 and an airflow channeler 50.

The vaporization cavity 19 comprises a region within the hollow of themouthpiece casing 15 in which liquid is vaporized. The heating element21 and a portion 22 of the support 20 are situated within thevaporization cavity 19.

The heating element support 20 is configured to support the heatingelement 21 and to facilitate vaporization of liquid by the heatingelement 21. The heating element support 20 is an outer support and isillustrated in FIGS. 4 to 7. The support 20 comprises a hollow cylinderof rigid, porous material and is situated within the mouthpiece casing15, towards the first end 16 of the casing 15, such that it abuts theliquid store 6. The outer circumference of the support 20 matches theinner circumference of the mouthpiece casing 15. The hollow of thesupport comprises a longitudinal, central channel 23 through the lengthof the support 20. The channel 23 has a square cross-sectional shape,the cross-section being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of thesupport.

The support 20 acts as a wicking element, as it is configured to wickliquid in the direction W from the liquid store 6 of the mouthpiece 2 tothe heating element 21. For example, the porous material of the support20 may be nickel foam, wherein the porosity of the foam is such that thedescribed wicking occurs. Once liquid wicks W from the liquid store 6 tothe support 20, it is stored in the porous material of the support 20.Thus, the support 20 is an extension of the liquid store 6.

The heating element 21 is formed of a single wire and comprises aheating element coil 24 and two leads 25, as is illustrated in FIGS. 3,5, 6 and 7. For example, the heating element 21 may be formed ofNichrome. The coil 24 comprises a section of the wire where the wire isformed into a helix about an axis A. At either end of the coil 24, thewire departs from its helical form to provide the leads 25. The leads 25are connected to the electrical contacts 26 and are thereby configuredto route electrical power, provided by the power cell 9, to the coil 24.

The wire of the coil 24 is approximately 0.12 mm in diameter. The coilis approximately 25 mm in length, has an internal diameter ofapproximately 2 mm and a helix pitch of approximately 420 micrometers.The void between the successive turns of the coil is thereforeapproximately 300 micrometers.

The coil 24 of the heating element 21 is located coaxially within thechannel 23 of the support. The heating element coil 24 is thus coiledwithin the channel 23 of the heating element support 20. Moreover, theaxis A of the coil 24 is thus parallel to the cylindrical axis B of themouthpiece casing 15 and the longitudinal axis C of the electroniccigarette 1. Moreover, the device 1 is configured such that the axis Aof the coil 24 is substantially parallel to airflow F through the devicewhen a user sucks on the device. Use of the device 1 by a user is laterdescribed in more detail.

The coil 24 is the same length as the support 20, such that the ends ofthe coil 24 are flush with the ends of the support 20. The outerdiameter of the helix of the coil 24 is similar to the cross-sectionalwidth of the channel 23. As a result, the wire of the coil 24 is incontact with the surface 28 of the channel 23 and is thereby supported,facilitating maintenance of the shape of the coil 24. Each turn of thecoil is in contact with the surface 28 of the channel 23 at a contactpoint 29 on each of the four walls 28 of the channel 23. The combinationof the coil 24 and the support 20 provides a heating rod 30, asillustrated in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. The heating rod 30 is later describedin more detail with reference to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7.

The inner surface 28 of the support 20 provides a surface for liquid towick onto the coil 24 at the points 29 of contact between the coil 24and the channel 23 walls 28. The inner surface 28 of the support 20 alsoprovides surface area for exposing wicked liquid to the heat of theheating element 21.

The airflow channeler 50 is cylindrical in shape, with a diametersmaller than that of the coil 24, and is located coaxially within thecoil 24 as shown in FIG. 8. The airflow channeler 50 is configured toinfluence the path of airflow through the vaporization cavity 19 when auser sucks on the device. The influence of the airflow channeler 50 onthe path of the airflow is described in more detail later. The channeler50 may for example be secured in place by suitable connectors, it may beallowed to be retained freely in the heater element 21, or the heater 21may be designed so as to retain the channeler 50. The airflow channeler50 may for example be formed of ceramic material.

There exists a continuous inner cavity 31 within the electroniccigarette 1 formed by the adjacent hollow interiors' of the mouthpiececasing 15 and the battery assembly casing 8.

In use, a user sucks on the second end 17 of the mouthpiece casing 15.This causes a drop in the air pressure throughout the inner cavity 31 ofthe electronic cigarette 1, particularly at the air outlet 4.

The pressure drop within the inner cavity 31 is detected by the pressuresensor 13. In response to detection of the pressure drop by the pressuresensor 13, the controller 14 triggers the provision of power from thepower cell 9 to the heating element 21 via the electrical contacts 10,26. The coil of the heating element 21 therefore heats up. Once the coil24 heats up, liquid in the vaporization cavity 19 is vaporized. In moredetail, liquid on the coil 24 is vaporized, liquid on the inner surface28 of the heating element support 20 is vaporized and liquid in theportions 22 of the support 20 which are in the immediate vicinity of theheating element 21 may be vaporized. Moreover, liquid may have gatheredon the airflow channeler 50 and this liquid may also be vaporized.

The pressure drop within the inner cavity 31 also causes air fromoutside of the electronic cigarette 1 to be drawn, along route F,through the inner cavity from the air inlet 27 to the air outlet 4. Asair is drawn along route F, it passes through the vaporization cavity19, picking up vaporized liquid, and the air passageway 18. Thevaporized liquid is therefore conveyed along the air passageway 18 andout of the air outlet 4 to be inhaled by the user.

As the air containing the vaporized liquid is conveyed to the air outlet4, some of the vapor may condense, producing a fine suspension of liquiddroplets in the airflow. Moreover, movement of air through the vaporizer7 as the user sucks on the mouthpiece 2 can lift fine droplets of liquidoff of the heating element 21 and/or the heating element support 20. Theair passing out of the air outlet 4 may therefore comprise an aerosol offine liquid droplets as well as vaporized liquid.

The airflow path F passes through the channel 23 of the support 20. Thisinvolves the airflow travelling along the length of the coil 24, bothwithin and outside of the circumference of the coil 24. The airflowchanneler 50 influences the passage of the airflow through the channel23 such that the airflow is restricted to an air passageway 51 about thechanneler 50 having an annular cross-section and encompassing the wireof the coil 24. The airflow channeler 50 therefore causes a venturieffect, whereby restricting the airflow to the annular passageway 51causes an increase in the speed of the airflow and a decrease in thestatic pressure of the airflow.

Restricting the airflow to the annular passageway 51 improves theefficiency of the vaporizer 7 as airflow is forced to pass close to thewire of the coil 24. Moreover, the increase in the speed of the airflowover the coil 24, caused by the channeler 50, can result in an increasedrate of vaporization. The channeler 50 also influences the wicking ofliquid, as the decrease in the static pressure at the surface 28 of thechannel 23 causes an increase in the wicking of liquid from the liquidstore 6 to the support 20, and from the support 20 to the coil 24. Theairflow channeler 50 therefore facilitates an increase in the amount ofvapor delivered to the outlet 4 for a given volume of airflow throughthe device 1.

With reference to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, due to the cross-sectional shape ofthe channel 23, gaps 35 are formed between the inner surface 28 of theheating element support 20 and the coil 24. In more detail, where thewire of the coil 24 passes between contact points 29, a gap 35 isprovided between the wire and the area of the inner surface 28 closestto the wire due to the wire substantially maintaining its helical form.The distance between the wire and the surface 28 at each gap 35 is inthe range of 10 micrometers to 500 micrometers. The gaps 35 areconfigured to facilitate the wicking of liquid onto the coil 24 throughcapillary action at the gaps 35. The gaps 35 also provide areas in whichliquid can gather prior to vaporization, and thereby provide areas forliquid to be stored prior to vaporization. The gaps 35 also expose moreof the coil 24 for increased vaporization in these areas.

Many alternatives and variations to the embodiments described above arepossible. For instance, FIGS. 9 to 15 show other airflow channeler 50configurations.

FIGS. 9 to 11 each show an airflow channeler 50 situated within the coil24 in order to obstruct the airflow within the coil 24 and direct theairflow to different points on the coil 24 surface. In each of FIGS. 9to 11, the channeler 50 prevents air flowing through the coil 24 in acentral region, restricting the airflow to a substantially annularpassageway 51 about the channeler 50 encompassing the wire of the coil.Moreover, the effects of the channeler 50, on the vaporizer 7 efficiencyand the wicking of liquid, described with reference to FIG. 8 applysimilarly to the channeler 50 configurations of FIGS. 9 to 11.

In FIG. 9, the airflow channeler 50 has a conical shape where the heightdimension H of the cone is coaxial with the coil 24. Moreover, thechanneler 50 is situated within the coil 24 such that the direction F ofairflow in use leads from a narrower section of the cone to a widersection of the cone.

Due to the conical shape of the channeler 50, the cross-sectional areaof the annular passageway 51 decreases as the air moves along thechanneler 50. As the air flows along the cone leading from a narrower toa wider section, it is increasingly directed towards the surface of thecoil 24. Moreover, the venturi effect caused by the channeler 50increases as air moves along the channeler 50. It therefore builds up anairflow speed and pressure gradient over the coil surface towards thebase of the coil. As a result, the rate of vaporization increases as theair passes along the passageway 51. Furthermore, the increased wickingcaused by the channeler 50 increases towards the narrowest point of thepassageway 51.

In FIG. 10, the airflow channeler 50 has an inverted conical shapecompared to that of FIG. 9, where the height dimension H of the cone iscoaxial with the coil 24. The direction of airflow in use leads from awider cone section to a narrower cone section.

Due to the conical shape of the channeler 50, the cross-sectional areaof the annular passageway 51 increases as the air moves along thechanneler 50. The airflow is directed closer to the coil 24 surface atthe start of the path and less so as the air flows down the cone sides.This creates an airflow speed and pressure gradient over the coil 24surface. The airflow path follows the shape of the cone and as the conenarrows acts to draw vapor towards the centre of the coil 24 and awayfrom the coil surface.

In FIG. 11, the airflow channeler 50 has a generally cylindrical shapebulging in a central region 52, and is coaxial with the coil 24. Thedirection of airflow in use leads along the channeler 50 from a narrowersection at one end of the channeler 50 to the wider central bulgesection 52 and back to a narrower section at the other end of thechanneler 50.

Due to the conical shape of the channeler 50, the cross-sectional areaof the annular passageway 51 decreases and then increases again as theair moves along the channeler 50. The airflow is directed closer to thecoil 24 surface at a central region 52 and then away from the coilsurface past the central region 52. The airflow is therefore focused onthe central coil region. This creates two airflow gradients, one beforethe bulge and one after it. The airflow in the annular passageway 51 istherefore fastest at the bulge 52. Moreover, the static pressure at thesurface 28 of the channel 23 is lowest in the vicinity of the bulge 52.Wicking of liquid to the heating element 21 is therefore highest in thevicinity of the bulge 52.

The example shown in FIG. 12 is similar to that of FIG. 9 with theexception that the airflow channeler 50 is partially outside the coil24, such that wider end of the cone lies within the coil 24. As the airflows along the outside of the cone surface it is directed closer to thecoil 24 surface, its speed increases and its static pressure decreases.Once the airflow passes the channeler 50 it enters an unobstructedregion 53 within the coil 24. As the airflow passes into theunobstructed region 53, it is drawn towards the central region of thecoil 24 and thereby draws vapor away from the coil 24 surface.

In FIG. 13 the airflow channeler 50 is situated outside of the coil 24.In this example the airflow channeler 50 is a cylinder and is locatedsuch that it is coaxial with the coil 24. The airflow channeler 50causes an obstruction such that air flows down the side of the cylinderand is incident on the ends of the coil 24. The airflow passes throughthe coil turns and in the absence of an obstruction within the coil 24,the airflow moves towards the inner coil 24 section taking vapor withit.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show another example configuration of an airflowchanneler 50. The airflow channeler 50 is an end cap 50, or plate 50,located over a first end of the channel 23. Moreover, the channeler 50has an annular aperture 55 aligned with the annular profile of the coil24. The end cap 50 determines how the air enters the channel 23 in thatair can only flow through the annular aperture 55 onto the coil 24 end.Thus, airflow is drawn over the coil end and through the coil turns.Once the airflow has passed the end cap 50 it can flow into the centralregion of the coil 24. In use, this flow through the end of the coil 24and the coil turns and into the centre of the coil 24 acts toefficiently remove vapor from the coil 24 to be inhaled by the user. Theend cap channeler 50 may form part of the heating element support 20.

Although examples have been shown and described it will be appreciatedby those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications mightbe made without departing from the scope of the claims.

The airflow channeler 50 may be configured to channel the airflow suchthat the airflow over wire of the coil 24 is fastest at a point whereliquid is provided to the coil 24.

An electronic vapor provision device 1 comprising an electroniccigarette 1 is described herein. However, other types of electronicvapor provision device 1 are possible.

The electronic vapor provision device 1 may be configured such that theaxis A of the coil is at an angle to a longitudinal axis of theelectronic vapor provision device 1. For example, the components of thedevice 1 may be configured such that the coil is perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the electronic vapor provision device 1 and suchthat air flow F over the coil when a user sucks on the mouthpiece issubstantially parallel to the coil axis.

An air pressure sensor 13 is described herein. In embodiments, anairflow sensor may be used to detect that a user is sucking on thedevice 1.

The electronic vapor provision device 1 is not restricted to thesequence of components described and other sequences could be used suchas the control circuit 11 being in the tip of the device 1 or the liquidstore 6 being in the body 3 rather than the mouthpiece 2.

The electronic vapor provision device 1 of FIG. 2 is described ascomprising two detachable parts, the mouthpiece 2 and the body 3,comprising the battery assembly 5. Alternatively, the device 1 may beconfigured such these parts 2, 5 are combined into a single integratedunit. In other words, the mouthpiece 2 and the body 3 may not bedetachable.

The distance between the wire and the surface 28 at each gap 35 isdescribed above as being in the range of 10 micrometers to 500micrometers. However, other gap sizes are possible.

The wire of the coil 24 is described above as being approximately 0.12mm thick. However, other wire diameters are possible. For example, thediameter of the coil 24 wire may be in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm.Moreover, the coil 24 length may be different to that described above.For example, the coil 24 length may be in the range of 20 mm to 40 mm.

The internal diameter of the coil 24 may be different to that describedabove. For example, the internal diameter of the coil 24 may be in therange of 0.5 mm to 2 mm.

The pitch of the helical coil 24 may be different to that describedabove. For example, the pitch may be between 120 micrometers and 600micrometers.

Furthermore, although the distance of the voids between turns of thecoil 24 is described above as being approximately 300, different voiddistances are possible. For example, the void may be between 20micrometers and 500 micrometers.

The size of the gaps 35 may be different to that described above.

The heating element is not restricted to being a uniform coil.

Airflow channelers 50 having other shapes could be used to achievedifferent airflow requirements. Moreover, any of the example shapesdescribed as airflow channelers 50 within the coil could be onlypartially within the coil or situated outside the coil.

Where the end cap 50 forms an obstruction, apertures 55 of differentshapes could be used to create different incident airflows.

The airflow channeler 50 is not restricted to channeling the airflowthrough a coil and could, for example, be arranged to channel airflow onto the side of a coil or heating element.

Where a heating element support is utilized this is not restricted tobeing an outer support and could be an inner support. An inner supportcould have a dual function as a support and as an airflow channeler 50,adopting any of the example shapes.

Reference herein to a vaporization cavity 19 may be replaced byreference to a vaporization region.

In order to address various issues and advance the art, the entirety ofthis disclosure shows by way of illustration various embodiments inwhich the claimed invention(s) may be practiced and provide for superiorelectronic vapor provision. The advantages and features of thedisclosure are of a representative sample of embodiments only, and arenot exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are presented only to assist inunderstanding and teach the claimed features. It is to be understoodthat advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures,and/or other aspects of the disclosure are not to be consideredlimitations on the disclosure as defined by the claims or limitations onequivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilizedand modifications may be made without departing from the scope and/orspirit of the disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably comprise,consist of, or consist essentially of, various combinations of thedisclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. Inaddition, the disclosure includes other inventions not presentlyclaimed, but which may be claimed in future. Any feature of anyembodiment can be used independently of, or in combination with, anyother feature.

1. An electronic vapor provision device comprising: a power cell; and avaporizer, wherein the vaporizer comprises a heating element, avaporization cavity, and an airflow channeler, wherein the airflowchanneler is situated outside of the vaporization cavity, and whereinthe heating element and a heating element support configured to supportthe heating element are situated within the vaporization cavity.
 2. Theelectronic vapor provision device of claim 1, wherein the vaporizationcavity is a region in which liquid is vaporized.
 3. The electronic vaporprovision device of claim 1, wherein the airflow channeler is configuredin use to act as an obstruction such that air flows down a side of theairflow channeler.
 4. The electronic vapor provision device of claim 1,wherein the electronic vapor provision device is an electroniccigarette.
 5. The electronic vapor provision device of claim 1, whereinthe airflow channeler is configured in use to channel airflow along alength of the heating element.
 6. The electronic vapor provision deviceof claim 1, wherein the airflow channeler is configured in use to focusairflow in one or more regions of the heating element.
 7. The electronicvapor provision device of claim 6, wherein the airflow channeler isconfigured in use to focus airflow in an end region of the heatingelement or in a central region of the heating element.
 8. The electronicvapor provision device of claim 1, wherein the airflow channeler isconfigured in use to create an airflow gradient over the heatingelement.
 9. The electronic vapor provision device of claim 1, whereinthe airflow channeler is situated outside of the heating element. 10.The electronic vapor provision device of claim 1, wherein the airflowchanneler is elongated in a direction of a longitudinal axis of theheating element.
 11. The electronic vapor provision device of claim 1,wherein a cross-sectional shape of the airflow channeler is a polygon.12. The electronic vapor provision device of claim 11, wherein across-sectional shape of the airflow channeler is a square.
 13. Theelectronic vapor provision device of claim 1, wherein the airflowchanneler comprises a spiral shape.
 14. The electronic vapor provisiondevice of claim 1, wherein the airflow channeler is substantiallyconical.
 15. The electronic vapor provision device of claim 1, whereinthe airflow channeler is cylindrical.
 16. The electronic vapor provisiondevice of claim 1, wherein the airflow channeler comprises a wider endand a narrower end and is configured such that in use air is drawntowards the wider end or the narrower end.
 17. The electronic vaporprovision device of claim 1, wherein the airflow channeler is shaped soas to bulge in one or more regions.
 18. The electronic vapor provisiondevice of claim 17, wherein the airflow channeler is shaped so as tobulge in a central region.
 19. The electronic vapor provision device ofclaim 1, wherein the heating element is a heating coil.
 20. Theelectronic vapor provision device of claim 19, wherein the airflowchanneler is configured in use to spiral airflow over the heating coil.21. The electronic vapor provision device of claim 19, wherein theairflow channeler is configured in use to focus airflow on an end of theheating coil, the inside of the heating coil or the outside of theheating coil.
 22. The electronic vapor provision device of claim 19,wherein the airflow channeler is configured in use to focus airflowthrough turns of the heating coil.
 23. The electronic vapor provisiondevice of claim 1, wherein the heating element is not supported on itsinside.
 24. The electronic vapor provision device of claim 1, whereinthe vaporizer further comprises the heating element support.
 25. Theelectronic vapor provision device of claim 24, wherein the heatingelement support is a liquid store.
 26. The electronic vapor provisiondevice of claim 24, wherein the heating element is on an inside of theheating element support.
 27. The electronic vapor provision device ofclaim 24, wherein one or more gaps are provided between the heatingelement and the heating element support.
 28. The electronic vaporprovision device of claim 24, wherein the heating element is in contactwith the heating element support at points along a length of the heatingelement support.
 29. The electronic vapor provision device of claim 24,wherein the airflow channeler forms part of the heating element support.30. The electronic vapor provision device of claim 1, wherein theelectronic vapor provision device further comprises a mouthpiece sectionand the vaporizer is part of the mouthpiece section.
 31. The electronicvapor provision device of claim 30, wherein the vaporizer furthercomprises the heating element support, wherein the heating elementsupport substantially fills the mouthpiece section.
 32. A vaporizer foran electronic vapor provision device comprising a power cell, thevaporizer comprising: a heating element; a vaporization cavity; and anairflow channeler, wherein the airflow channeler is situated outside ofthe vaporization cavity, and wherein the heating element and a heatingelement support configured to support the heating element are situatedwithin the vaporization cavity.